Kogod School of Business

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Our Approach to Learning

MBA

MBA Core Courses & Sustainability Elements

At the Kogod School of Business, sustainability is embedded in the DNA of our MBA program. 

100% of our core curriculum is infused with sustainability topics, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across all 27 required credits. Students graduate fluent in climate-conscious strategy, ethical leadership, and sustainable finance—alongside foundational business skills in areas like marketing, operations, and analytics. 

Kogod's comprehensive approach to incorporating sustainability throughout its curriculum and operations has earned us top-tier recognition, including the Page Grand Prize for excellence in sustainability curriculum design, a #5 U.S. ranking and #12 global ranking in Corporate Knights’ Better World MBA list, and #3 on the Princeton Review’s Best Green MBA list. 

Kogod MBA students are purpose-driven leaders, with many pursuing careers in ESG consulting, climate tech, sustainable investing, and social enterprise. They also gain direct insight from sustainability pioneers through our acclaimed Gamechangers in Sustainability speaker series—featuring business leaders like Anthony Capuano (CEO, Marriott International), Carter Roberts (CEO, World Wildlife Foundation), Seth Goldman (Co-founder, Eat the Change & Beyond Meat), and more. Kogod’s MBA empowers the next generation of business leaders to build resilient, equitable, and sustainable organizations in every sector. 

Zoom In: Kogod's Sustainability-Focused MBA Capstone Project

Kogod's MBA capstone course, Strategic Decision Making (KSB-613), immerses students in real-world consulting projects with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Recent projects include strategizing for an electric vehicle charging company, advancing fair labor practices and social sustainability legislation, and innovating for a sustainable textile company.

 

Highlighted Sustainability Courses within the Kogod MBA Core Curriculum

ACCT-607 | Financial Accounting

This course introduces the accounting model of the firm, the financial accounting cycle, and how organizations report operating, investing, and financing activities. It explores the expanding role of accounting in capturing sustainability-related business practices and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance. Students learn to interpret financial statements in tandem with sustainability metrics to assess the impact of initiatives like energy efficiency or sustainable product development. The course emphasizes ethical leadership, transparency, and responsible decision-making—equipping students to connect financial data with long-term value creation and sustainability outcomes.

FIN-614 | Financial Management

Grounded in valuation theory and capital markets, this course explores how financial decisions drive firm performance and long-term strategy. Topics include capital budgeting, cost of capital, and managing investment and financing choices. Sustainability is woven throughout the course, with a focus on carbon markets, green finance, and the integration of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations into financial analysis. Students learn how to evaluate climate-related risks and opportunities, assess regulatory frameworks, and align financial strategies with sustainability goals—preparing them to lead responsibly in a financial landscape shaped by climate change and social accountability.

IBUS-641 | Social Sustainability Strategy

Focusing on the social dimension of sustainability, this course explores how issues like fair labor practices, human rights, health care, and social justice intersect with core business strategy. Students examine how companies embed social and environmental values into their decision-making, evaluate corporate social performance, and build inclusive, purpose-driven organizations. Through tools and frameworks for stakeholder engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and integrated ESG (environmental, social, and governance) strategy, the course emphasizes aligning sustainability with long-term profitability. By connecting strategic planning with sustainable development, students gain the insight to lead ethically and innovate for lasting social impact.

ITEC-610 | Applied Managerial Statistics

Effective decision-making requires data-driven insight. This course equips students with statistical tools to analyze uncertainty, evaluate alternatives, and make informed business decisions. Using real-world datasets and software, students build models such as probability distributions and multiple regressions to solve problems in finance, marketing, IT, and sustainability. A central focus is applying these techniques to sustainability challenges—like modeling carbon emissions, evaluating renewable energy investments, or optimizing supply chains for environmental impact. By integrating ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations, the course fosters analytical thinking aligned with sustainable development, climate-conscious strategy, and ethically grounded business leadership.

ITEC-617 | Information and Technology

Technology and analytics are central to building efficient, innovative, and sustainable businesses. This course examines the strategic, operational, and ethical use of IT to drive business performance. Students explore how companies use data systems to optimize energy usage, manage resources, and advance sustainability goals across functions like supply chain, finance, and marketing. Topics include circular economy models, digital governance, and the use of smart infrastructure to reduce environmental impact. Through case studies and practical applications, students learn how IT supports ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance and empowers organizations to build resilient, future-ready systems aligned with sustainable development.

ITEC-618 | Applied Production and Operations Management

This course explores the core principles of production and operations management, including forecasting, project scheduling, facility location, inventory control, and supply chain optimization. Students learn to apply analytical tools and models to improve efficiency and decision-making. Sustainability is embedded throughout, with emphasis on operational decisions that reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and support renewable resource use. Case discussions address carbon-intensity modeling, green site selection, and tracking performance metrics like water use and emissions. By integrating ESG (environmental, social, and governance) priorities, students develop the tools to manage complex systems responsibly and lead sustainable operations across industries.

ITEC-620 | Business Insights through Analytics

Students explore descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics to derive insights and solve problems across disciplines like finance, marketing, IT, and sustainability. Through hands-on projects, they build models using commercial software to analyze data, generate forecasts, and recommend actions. The course highlights how analytics supports ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals—such as optimizing renewable energy use, reducing supply chain emissions, and tracking water consumption. Emphasis is placed on using data ethically and strategically to address sustainability challenges. Students gain the tools to lead data-driven decision-making that advances sustainable development and long-term organizational resilience.

MGMT-609 | Organizational Effectiveness through People

People are a company’s most vital resource. This course explores how inclusive, ethical, and purpose-driven talent strategies contribute to both organizational performance and sustainable business practices. Students examine leadership, motivation, culture, and performance management through the lens of emerging trends such as remote work, AI, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) expectations. Emphasis is placed on building resilient human capital systems that align with long-term social responsibility goals. Through case studies and applied tools, students learn to foster equitable work environments and lead workforce transformation that supports climate-conscious strategy, employee well-being, and sustainable enterprise growth.

MKTG-612 | Marketing Management

Marketing is a powerful driver of sustainable business. This course introduces students to strategic marketing principles, global market dynamics, and the tools needed for ethical, data-informed decision-making. With a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR), students explore sustainable branding, stakeholder engagement, and long-term value creation through socially responsible marketing. Case studies and group projects highlight how organizations integrate environmental and social impact into their marketing strategies. The course also examines how financial tools support the evaluation of ethical campaigns. Students graduate with the insight to lead purpose-driven marketing efforts that align with ESG priorities and global sustainability goals.

KSB-613 | Strategic Decision Making

Serving as the MBA capstone, this course brings together knowledge from across business disciplines to develop strategic solutions that advance both organizational goals and sustainability outcomes. Students apply analytical frameworks through case studies, simulations, and consulting projects that tackle real-world environmental and social challenges. Past projects have addressed electric vehicles, fair labor legislation, and sustainable textiles. The course emphasizes ESG (environmental, social, and governance) integration in strategic planning, encouraging students to lead with purpose and build long-term value. Graduates emerge equipped to navigate complex ecosystems and craft strategies that drive climate resilience, equity, and ethical enterprise growth.

How cool is that?

Go to a great business school in a city that exposes you to government. Then, get really smart about a lot of areas and create new solutions

— Carter Roberts, CEO of World Wildlife Fund

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